Abstract
In 1966, Shik, Severin and Orlovskii discovered that electrical stimulation of a region at the junction between the midbrain and hindbrain elicited controlled walking and running in the cat. The region was named Mesencephalic Locomotor Region (MLR). Since then, this locomotor center was shown to control locomotion in various vertebrate species, including the lamprey, salamander, stingray, rat, guinea-pig, rabbit or monkey. In human subjects asked to imagine they are walking, there is an increased activity in brainstem nuclei corresponding to the MLR (i.e. pedunculopontine, cuneiform and subcuneiform nuclei). Clinicians are now stimulating (deep brain stimulation) structures considered to be part of the MLR to alleviate locomotor symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s disease. However, the anatomical constituents of the MLR still remain a matter of debate, especially relative to the pedunculopontine, cuneiform and subcuneiform nuclei. Furthermore, recent studies in lampreys have revealed that the MLR is more complex than a simple relay in a serial descending pathway activating the spinal locomotor circuits. It has multiple functions. Our goal is to review the current knowledge relative to the anatomical constituents of the MLR, and its physiological role, from lamprey to man. We will discuss these results in the context of the recent clinical studies involving stimulation of the MLR in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Keywords: Locomotion, mesencephalic locomotor region, pedunculopontine nucleus, cuneiform nucleus, laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, lamprey, acetylcholine, Parkinson’s disease.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:The Multifunctional Mesencephalic Locomotor Region
Volume: 19 Issue: 24
Author(s): Dimitri Ryczko and Rejean Dubuc
Affiliation:
Keywords: Locomotion, mesencephalic locomotor region, pedunculopontine nucleus, cuneiform nucleus, laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, lamprey, acetylcholine, Parkinson’s disease.
Abstract: In 1966, Shik, Severin and Orlovskii discovered that electrical stimulation of a region at the junction between the midbrain and hindbrain elicited controlled walking and running in the cat. The region was named Mesencephalic Locomotor Region (MLR). Since then, this locomotor center was shown to control locomotion in various vertebrate species, including the lamprey, salamander, stingray, rat, guinea-pig, rabbit or monkey. In human subjects asked to imagine they are walking, there is an increased activity in brainstem nuclei corresponding to the MLR (i.e. pedunculopontine, cuneiform and subcuneiform nuclei). Clinicians are now stimulating (deep brain stimulation) structures considered to be part of the MLR to alleviate locomotor symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s disease. However, the anatomical constituents of the MLR still remain a matter of debate, especially relative to the pedunculopontine, cuneiform and subcuneiform nuclei. Furthermore, recent studies in lampreys have revealed that the MLR is more complex than a simple relay in a serial descending pathway activating the spinal locomotor circuits. It has multiple functions. Our goal is to review the current knowledge relative to the anatomical constituents of the MLR, and its physiological role, from lamprey to man. We will discuss these results in the context of the recent clinical studies involving stimulation of the MLR in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Ryczko Dimitri and Dubuc Rejean, The Multifunctional Mesencephalic Locomotor Region, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2013; 19 (24) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612811319240011
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612811319240011 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Safety and Efficacy of Dexamethasone Intravitreal Implant (Ozurdex) for the Treatment of Persistent Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion in Eyes Previously Treated with Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
Current Drug Safety Targeting the Tumor Proteasome as a Mechanism to Control the Synthesis and Bioactivity of Matrix Macromolecules
Current Molecular Medicine The Role of Melatonin in the Immuno-Neuro-Psychology of Mental Disorders
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Abiotic Regulation: A Common Way for Proteins to Modulate their Functions
Current Protein & Peptide Science Resolving Differences in Substrate Specificities between Human and Parasite Phosphoribosyltransferases via Analysis of Functional Groups of Substrates and Receptors
Current Pharmaceutical Design Caregiver Burden in Fragile X Families
Current Psychiatry Reviews Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacotherapy of Military Personnel Suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Current Neuropharmacology Oxidation Chemistry of Catecholamines and Neuronal Degeneration: An Update
Current Medicinal Chemistry Prospects for A Schistosome Vaccine
Current Drug Targets - Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Pharmacotherapy. Evolution and Current Concept of Drug-Related Problems
Current Pharmaceutical Design Regulation of Insulin Synthesis and Secretion and Pancreatic Beta-Cell Dysfunction in Diabetes
Current Diabetes Reviews Relationships Between Mitochondria and Neuroinflammation: Implications for Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to Study Spatial Distribution and Factors Associated with Stress Among Thai Adolescents
Adolescent Psychiatry Photoluminescence in SrSnO<sub>3</sub>:Fe<sup>3+</sup> Perovskite
Current Physical Chemistry Structure-Function Relationships of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 and Its Potential as a Therapeutic Agent
Current Drug Targets Estrogen Receptor Neurobiology and its Potential for Translation into Broad Spectrum Therapeutics for CNS Disorders
Current Molecular Pharmacology Glucocorticoids, the Etiology of Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome
Current Alzheimer Research Patient Involvement and Shared Decision-Making in Mental Health Care
Current Clinical Pharmacology The Effects of Psychopharmacologic and Therapeutic Approaches on Neuro-imaging in Obsessive-compulsive Disorder
Current Neuropharmacology Pharmacological Effect of Berberine Chloride in Propyl Thiouracil Induced Thyroidal Dysfunction - A Time Bound Study in Female Rats
Recent Patents on Drug Delivery & Formulation